San Antonio College Library

A revealing glimpse inside the burgeoning business of cosmetic enhancement explores the frauds, follies, and fanaticism that exemplify American society's pursuit of youth and beauty by any means necessary.

Within this one-of-a-kind guide for consumers, the authors address many of the key issues concerning plastic surgery. From patient concerns, to provider\'s responsibilities, to the often-overlooked topic of reconstructive surgery. This innovative guide is certain to educate and aid people in making key decisions.

Annotation

In Venus Envy, Elizabeth Haiken traces the quest for physical perfection through surgery from the turn of the century to the present. Drawing on a wide array of sources - personal accounts, medical records, popular magazines, medical journals, and beauty guides - Haiken reveals how our culture came to see cosmetic surgery as a panacea for both individual and societal problems. As Americans and their surgeons linked the significance of "normal" standards...

Though cosmetic breast surgery is most commonly an elective procedure, it is an important, irreversible decision that demands careful consideration. In Cosmetic Breast Surgery, distinguished plastic surgeon Robert M. Freund -- who has worked on the breasts of thousands of women in his private and public New York City practices -- offers clear explanations and sensitive advice for women curious about having their breasts enlarged, reduced, or lifted....

"Around the globe, aesthetic surgery has become a cultural and medical fixture. Sander Gilman seeks to explain why by presenting the first systematic world history and cultural theory of aesthetic surgery. Touching on subjects as diverse as getting a "nose job" as a sweet-sixteen birthday present and the removal of male breasts in seventh-century Alexandria, Gilman argues that aesthetic surgery has such universal appeal because it helps people to...

""Plastic surgery is not a magic wand," declares Dr. Jean-Claude Hagege in his critique of the dangerous confusion between beauty and seductiveness. Having seen, spoken with, and operated on hundreds of patients, Hagege offers a unique perspective on the important distinction between formal beauty and true seductive power." "As Hagege relates the successes and failures of his practice, we learn that our misconceptions about how we should look are...

"Brazil is known for its beautiful beaches, lush rain forests, and vibrant culture. However, in recent years, the country has developed more of a reputation for corrupt politicians, kidnapping, and plastic surgery. [The film] connects these seemingly disparate elements and conducts a dazzling, yet harrowing, examination of the tragic effect that has reshaped the face of the country and created an entire industry built on corruption."--Container

At a time when medical technologies make it ever easier to enhance our minds and bodies, a debate has arisen about whether such efforts promote a process of "normalization," which makes it ever harder to tolerate the natural anatomical differences among us. The debate becomes especially complicated when it addresses the surgical alteration, or "shaping," of children. This volume explores the ethical and social issues raised by the recent proliferation...